if I need to invest a little bit again on light; what I should consider?

[wesamazmy]

I have newly established 55g tank (2 months), few yellow tail damsel, crabs and shrimps, 2 corals and 1 bubble tip anemone.

currently: i have 2 bulbs T5 28W (white & Blue) + LED light

I feel that this is not enough light for coral, also I don't know how to know what is the best for my case?

if I need to invest a little bit again on light; what I should consider?

Note: My tank start facing cyano bloom (I don't want to help in growth at this moment)

[ryeguyy84]

What size tank?

[wesamazmy]

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

What size tank?

sorry I assumed its below in the signature
its 55g with dimensions 100*40*50 cm

[ryeguyy84]

Well 56w of t5 isn't going to keep the bubble tip alive so you need to either return it or upgrade now.

On a 2 month old tank I'd say return it.

As for lights the options are limitless. You could stick with T5 and get a 6 or 8 bulb x 54w. You could do metal halide maybe two 150w bulbs. Or look into LEDs like radion or kessel.

[wesamazmy]

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

Well 56w of t5 isn't going to keep the bubble tip alive so you need to either return it or upgrade now.

On a 2 month old tank I'd say return it.

As for lights the options are limitless. You could stick with T5 and get a 6 or 8 bulb x 54w. You could do metal halide maybe two 150w bulbs. Or look into LEDs like radion or kessel.

Thank you, I really disappointed, I will check ASAP to see what I can add light to my tank

but lets say if I get 150w, how many bulbs I need?
also is there any formula to calculate the needed watts comparing with tank size?

[civics14]

what's your budget? I seen tanks locally that are lit with those ebay black box leds and they look good. Or even ocean revive LEDs are solid fixtures.

I myself run 2 RapidLED Onyx w/ 100 degree optics over a 36x18 foot print.

[Sk8r]

I used a 250 watt metal halide 10,000 k on my 54 to keep stony coral, and had very good growth.

[Reefstarter2]

The general rule of watts per gallon still applies on halide and t5 for example your 55 would need 3-5 watts per so an overshoot using 2 ,150 watt hailed and 2 54 watt t5 would grow almost anything led is a different animal some say by the fixture and coverage I am not sure as I like old school tried and true

[lpsouth1978]

You could try something like this. For the price it is a great light. It does have 250w MH which will be a lot, so you may have to raise it up off the tank a bit.

http://www.aquatraders.com/48-716W-M...bo-p/54267.htm

If you are not going to keep any SPS you could also get a light like this, http://www.aquatraders.com/T5-Aquari...&show=9&page=3

It would be adequate for most LPS and Softies, maybe a few SPS up high in the tank.

[Sk8r]

MH may require a ballast, which can be quite a kick in the wallet, as spendy as the light---do check that out before ordering. Call and ask.

[lpsouth1978]

Originally Posted by Sk8r

MH may require a ballast, which can be quite a kick in the wallet, as spendy as the light---do check that out before ordering. Call and ask.

That fixture comes with electronic ballasts and HQI bulbs, as well as T5 actinic bulbs.

[Ron Reefman]

And MH require new bulbs every couple of years. The cheap MH bulbs really aren't good enough. MH also produce a lot of heat.

I'm in SW Florida so I keep my house at 80 degrees from May thru Oct (it's 90+ outside). The heat from my MH wasn't appreciated by the aquarium water or my house A/C. I switched to all leds and they paid for themselves in 2 years, the house A/C works less, the chiller work WAY, WAY less, I don't buy any new bulbs anymore and the tank looks good and the colors are easy to adjust to your liking!

I had 2 chinese boxes over my old 55g. You can find cheap ones that will work on ebay for about $80. Or better ones from EverGrow, ReefBreeders and OceanRevive and others for $135 to $150.

[wesamazmy]

Originally Posted by Reefstarter2

The general rule of watts per gallon still applies on halide and t5 for example your 55 would need 3-5 watts per so an overshoot using 2 ,150 watt hailed and 2 54 watt t5 would grow almost anything led is a different animal some say by the fixture and coverage I am not sure as I like old school tried and true

I have 2t5 39 W for each, so may I need to raise 2-3 bulbs the same watt, the total will be around 200w beside the LED that I have, I think this will be enough

Thanks for all, great information I got

[whosurcaddie]

Just get two Ocean Revive t247's.

[wesamazmy]

Originally Posted by whosurcaddie

Just get two Ocean Revive t247's.

Really I liked them, thank you
But they will cost me shipping more than their cost becose am living in Jordan
But I will try to get them
Thank you again!

[mushumatt]

If your trying to keep your current lights and just add too it. Check out buildmyled.com strip LED lights. I am doing 1 20k 1 super actinic and 4 t5ho lights for my 40 breeder

[wesamazmy]

Thank you All, I bought ocean revive t247 lights which is are great, check my tank now after 4 month using these lights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm0iwcoPIGw

[wesamazmy]

Originally Posted by mushumatt

If your trying to keep your current lights and just add too it. Check out buildmyled.com strip LED lights. I am doing 1 20k 1 super actinic and 4 t5ho lights for my 40 breeder

Thanks for your advice, I use 'ocean revive t247' lights now

[wesamazmy]

Originally Posted by whosurcaddie

Just get two Ocean Revive t247's.

Dear, I would say thank you for your advice, I bought one 'ocean revive t247' lights which is great, this is the most part enjoyed me

check my tank after 4 month using them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm0iwcoPIGw